With the coming of “winter” rains, arrival of bulbs in the stores and the beginning of the dormant season in nurseries, November becomes an action-packed month for Far West gardeners. It’s time, also, to transplant overgrown shrubs and trees. In the Northwest it’s time to use cleanup sprays. Wait until the latter part of November in California, though.

Disease and Pest Control. Use a powerful spray to rout invaders. Use a combination spray to eliminate both pests and diseases. Always check the manufacturer’s directions and ask for advice at your local garden center. Kill off the winter brood of snails by putting out plenty of metaldehyde bug pellets.

Roses – It’s none too soon to think of rose planting even though the work is to be done 60 days from now. In the meantime, study the catalogs and websites and make your decisions.

Which roses to select is always a question. There are the hybrid teas that form the foundation of the garden and come in all colors. There are floribundas with only slightly smaller flowers and some that grow in clusters and are used for a mass effect of color. They are most effective in hedges or borders or in adding color to a perennial border. Standard or tree roses for accent in the garden lend height or formality.

A rose garden planted according to a color scheme, blending one color into another, is always pleasing. Planting in groups of three, five or even more of a kind is always advisable. In that way you have enough of one variety to make a show.

Before growing rose crazy – Trim those ‘Mums. Clean up the flower beds now that the flowers are finished. Cut back the plants to about 12 inches from the ground and burn the trimmings. This reduces the danger of potential diseases or you can put natural insecticide for plants next year – and the next.

Spring Bulbs – Dutch hyacinths (the graceful Roman type are not so stiff and tailored) and early tulips are best where perfect symmetry and a “formal look” are needed. They are valuable also in window boxes and pots. The later tulips are much taller and less stiff.

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